Premier League Team of the Week XXIV feat. Leicester and Manchester United stars

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Fraser Forster: Forster produced a fine early stop with his left boot after Mesut Özil’s effort seemed certain to break the deadlock. Southampton’s stopper made an even more impressive block from the German only a short while later as he made himself big and got his chest in the way of the shot. Next, Forster was the enemy of Olivier Giroud, springing to his left to deny Arsenal’s number 12. A double-save from Theo Walcott’s goal-bound efforts was next on the list as the English ‘keeper continued to frustrate Wenger and his troops, first with his feet and then with a pair of outstretched arms. Alexis Sanchez; making a welcome start for The Gunners in the Premier League, caused Forster to stretch to the limits of his giant frame to keep out a header that appeared to be creeping just inside the far post. The Chilean was denied a second time by Fraser Forster as Arsenal’s unrelenting siege of the Southampton goal remained unsuccessful. It is probably a little too late for him to force his way into Roy Hodgson’s plans for the summer; certainly to threaten Joe Hart’s starting berth, but a back-up role may well be in order.

Billy Jones: From right-back, Billy Jones was a central figure for Sunderland both in terms of attacking and defending. The Black Cats defender made four tackles and six clearances to combat the wealth of attacking talent that Manchester City were able to thrust on their left flank. Aguero and Silva both drifted out to that side in the first half and once Sterling had been introduced to the action, Jones had the former Liverpool man’s extreme pace to contend with. As his side pushed forward in an attempt to grab the equaliser, there was always the risk of being caught out on the counter-attack but rather than being too concerned about this, Billy Jones was instead a genuine offensive force for Allardyce’s men. He troubled Joe Hart directly on a couple of occasions with goal-bound efforts and his continual forward runs down the right-hand-side helped to pin the Citizens back.

Virgil van Dijk: Operating at the heart of the back-line which frustrated Arsenal to such a great extent on Tuesday night, Virgil van Dijk made five crucial clearances from deep areas and an equal number of interceptions, doing his best to halt attacks at source. The Dutchman’s last-ditch slide tackle on Mesut Özil when The Gunners’ assist-king was bearing down on Forster’s goal prevented an almost certain goal. It simply had to be perfectly timed as, if it had been only a little off, then a red card would have been an inevitability. This capped off an accomplished display by the former Celtic man.

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Micah Richards: Aston Villa’s club captain put in a fantastically committed performance in his side’s eventual defeat to West Ham United on Tuesday evening. Doing his very best to be vocal from the back and lead his troops, Micah Richards defended wholeheartedly and threw himself into challenges on many occasions. Most notable of all was his goal-line clearance that rescued the immediate danger for his side, although to no avail come the end of proceedings. Micah Richards also took it upon himself to be the man to take Villa forward, charging up-field with the commitment that was so visibly lacking by the vast majority of those wearing luminous yellow. You have to feel that; when the inevitable happens and Aston Villa drop down to the Championship, Micah Richards will be perhaps the only member of their squad who can retain any dignity from the ordeal at all.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson: Manchester United’s youngster whipped in a fabulous delivery to set up Jesse Lingard’s diving header which opened Manchester United’s account against Stoke City, and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson continued this trend throughout the game, always being available on the left flank. The young full-back has been impressing in recent weeks ever since his presence in the side has been almost essential following a spate of injuries to more senior defenders at the club. Borthwick-Jackson made four clearances in the game, helping out whenever Stoke City did make forward forays. Strong on the ball and quick over the ground, Borthwick-Jackson should do well at Old Trafford if recent displays; including that against The Potters, are anything to go by.